The US Department of Education has awarded University of St. Thomas Center for International Studies a two-year Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Languages grant totaling $170,145. The UISFL grants support program initiatives that promote critical area studies and languages, such as those of East Asia.

University of St. Thomas has appointed Dr. Christopher P. Evans as vice president of Academic Affairs starting November 1. Evans replaces interim VPAA Dr. Poldi Tschirch, who also serves as the dean of UST’s School of Nursing.

University of St. Thomas ranks 28th in the 2019 edition of the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” list of universities in the western region of the United States. The University also ranked ninth as one of its best value universities in the west.

University of St. Thomas - Houston is one of the best colleges in the West according to The Princeton Review. The well-known education services company lists UST among the ”Best in the West” in its 2019 edition of the best colleges in America. Only 129 colleges in 15 Western states made The Princeton Review's “Best in the West” list for 2019.

The University of St. Thomas is recommended in the 2018-2019 edition of The Newman Guide, the flagship project of The Cardinal Newman Society that recommends 28 Catholic colleges, universities and higher education programs for excellence in faithful Catholic education.

The University of St. Thomas announced it hired former professional tennis player Jack Brasington III as the head coach of the school’s varsity men's and women's tennis teams, which will take to the court in the fall of 2019. This is the first time in its 71-year history that UST has fielded a men or women’s tennis team.

The University of St. Thomas announced it hired Clayton VanderLaan as the head coach of the school’s varsity baseball team, which will take the field in spring 2020 after more than a half-century absence.

Every year during National Nurses Appreciation Week, the Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses program awards scholarships to three exceptional nursing students attending Houston area colleges and universities. This year Afrah Mohammed, a 2019 in the Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing at the University of St. Thomas, was among those selected for the prestigious award.

An internationally renowned multidisciplinary journal PLOS ONE just published a case study regarding undergraduate student research products in chemistry and physics with research conducted by University of St. Thomas Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physics Dr. Birgit Mellis along with five colleagues from three peer institutions (Butler, John Carroll and Creighton).

Former NASA Astronaut and Air Force Col. Michael E. Fossum will deliver the keynote address at University of St. Thomas’ 24th Annual Spring Research Symposium. Fossum’s inspiring talk, Passion to Reach, chronicles his 13-year journey to become an astronaut. Despite setbacks, Fossum fostered a spirit of excellence during his training and achieved his goals. Fossum, a veteran of three space flights has logged more than 194 days in space, including more than 48 hours in seven spacewalks, served as an astronaut from 1998 until his retirement in 2017.

The University of St. Thomas is pleased to announce that Dr. Janet McCollum, Director of Research & Assistant Professor, has been named a winner in Blackboard’s Exemplary Course Program (ECP). The awards program recognizes faculty and course designers from schools, colleges, and universities around the world who develop engaging and innovative courses that represent the very best in technology and learning.

Spend the morning of Good Friday, March 30, 2018, in a reflective procession carrying the cross from University of St. Thomas’ Chapel of St. Basil to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The 2.2-mile procession includes five stations, gospel readings, reflections and choral presentations. Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza will provide a blessing at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

The University of St. Thomas Athletics Program has been approved for exploratory membership in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the 2018-2019 academic year. The exploratory year will officially begin on Sept. 1, 2018, and will provide the university a year to learn more about NCAA Division III.

The University of St. Thomas Cross Country team is setting a precedent with Coach Ryan Dohner running the fastest ½ Marathon of any person ever born in the state of Texas 2018 Chevron Houston Half Marathon.

The Department of Campus Ministry at the University of St. Thomas will integrate into the framework of the Donald S. Nesti, CSSp Center for Faith and Culture. Through the leadership of Fr. Chris Valka, CSB, director Center for Faith and Culture, and in collaboration with Fr. Dave Bittner, CSB, campus chaplain, President Dr. Richard Ludwick has approved the merger between the two departments. The reorganization stems from the ideas and concepts around how faith is lived, nurtured and celebrated on campus. Since its founding, UST has strived to live the meaning of Catholic with the universality that defines the Faith; as it serves people of all beliefs and backgrounds.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the fastest growing nursing graduate program in the United States. According to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, only 0.7% of nurses licensed in Texas hold a doctoral degree.

More than 300 friends of the University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies attended the annual Irish Gala on Nov. 3 at The Houstonian Hotel. The theme for this year’s Gala was “Celebrating Irish Religious Throughout Texas.” This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Center for Irish Studies.

College Choice names University of St. Thomas to its Best Western Regional Universities list for 2017. College Choice is a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college.

Dr. Higinia Torres Rimbau, director of Bilingual and Dual Language Programs at the University of St. Thomas School of Education, was selected for a Fulbright Fellowship in Paris, France, where she will work with local educators to address vulnerable populations.

More than 230 friends of the University of St. Thomas Donald S. Nesti, CSSp Center for Faith and Culture attended the seventh annual Faithful Citizenship Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Houston Country Club. The theme for this year’s dinner was “Healing the World through Love” and the honor of the Faithful Citizen Award was bestowed upon Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr. ’69, Ph.D., M.D., who currently serves as Board Chair for the University of St. Thomas.

Living up to its pledge to Generation Study Abroad and ahead of the 2020 deadline, University of St. Thomas Houston has doubled the number of students who participate in a study abroad experience. Innovative programs for freshmen students and adding new nontraditional destinations helped build the program.

The Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC) will host the 39th Houston Italian Festival from Thursday, October 12 to Sunday, October 15, 2017 on the grounds of the University of St. Thomas. Festa Italiana is an annual festival founded with the mission of celebrating Italian culture and heritage in the city of Houston. Recognized as a significant cultural event in the city, Festa Italiana has numerous activities to offer its guests.

This entertaining talk will explain solar eclipses and the sun itself. View the solar eclipse using the University's solar telescopes, solar binoculars and free solar viewing goggles. You can talk with scientists as well.

University of St. Thomas announces the appointment of H.E. Jenkins as the new Chief of Police, effective June 19. Chief Jenkins replaces James Tate who held the position of Chief of Police for three years.

The University of St. Thomas is recommended in the 2017-2018 edition of The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, a publication of the Cardinal Newman Society that recommends 29 Catholic colleges, universities and higher education programs for excellence in faithful Catholic education.

The University of St. Thomas has received a $6.5 million contribution from the estate of James M. Hughes, in support of Faith in Our Future: The Campaign for the University of St. Thomas. The gift, the largest single realized bequest in university history, establishes the James M. Hughes Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Known for his charismatic media personality and commitment to Catholic values, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, will present the keynote address at the 2017 University of St. Thomas Commencement at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at NRG Arena, 1 NRG Park.

At the 67th annual University of St. Thomas Mardi Gras Gala held on Saturday, February 25th at the Hilton-Americas, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, took the stage for what proved to be one of the most indelible moments of the entire evening as he presented President Robert Ivany with a surprise papal gift, the highest honor that can be presented by the Papacy to the laity.

The 67th annual University of St. Thomas Mardi Gras Scholarship Gala was held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Hilton Americas-Houston and raised a record amount of over $1.8 million for the Ivany Family Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to deserving undergraduate and graduate students at UST. The annual gala paid tribute to outgoing University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany and First Lady Marianne Ivany while simultaneously commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the University by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.

The Chapel of St. Basil, designed by architect Philip Johnson and named for St. Basil the Great, a fourth century bishop in what is today Turkey, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017 in conjunction with the University of St. Thomas’ 70th anniversary as a private Catholic institution of higher learning in the City of Houston.

The University of St. Thomas’ Cameron School of Business announced its continued partnership this spring with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), which offers low-income residents in the Houston community an opportunity to receive free income tax preparation and electronic filing. The VITA program gives accounting and business students a hands-on experience in preparing taxes and managing a community-based volunteer program.

Founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers – a distinguished order of Catholic priests devoted to teaching – University of St. Thomas (UST) has long served as an institution of academic achievement for generations of young men and women – instilling its students with a comprehensive liberal arts foundation.

The University of St. Thomas continues its commitment to affordability with a modest three percent tuition increase for undergraduates and an increase in the scholarship and financial aid budget to $20 million for 2017-2018.

Over 300 friends of the University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies attended the annual Irish Gala on Nov. 4 at The Houstonian Hotel for a Gala “Celebrating Ireland through its People.” The Gala paid special tribute to William J. Flynn, the Center’s namesake, for his tireless commitment to the peace process in Ireland.

The University of St. Thomas (UST) Performing & Fine Arts Society held its sixth annual Membership Tea in the home of Azar Delpassand as 100-plus guests were treated to an afternoon of high tea, champagne, and socializing in recognition of the extensive contributions made by honorees Margaret Alkek Williams and Cecil “C.C.” Conner.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the University of St. Thomas a five-year, $3.8 million grant for Hispanic and low-income students interested in pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and nursing.

The University of St. Thomas was ranked one of the best colleges in West, according to The Princeton Review. UST is among 125 colleges and universities in 15 Western states to represent the “Best in the West.”

The University of St. Thomas has appointed Dr. Martin Lindenberg, an entrepreneur and consultant, who has years of experience and success under his belt, to lead the McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

University of St. Thomas Houston announces the appointment of Dr. Paul Paese as Dean of the School of Education and Human Services, effective July 1, 2016. Dr. Paese has a distinguished career as a leader, scholar and teacher in the field of education.

The University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies has appointed Jonathan O’Neill, MA as an Irish Studies scholar. Originally from Counties Galway and Clare in Ireland, O’Neill joins the Center from the University of Limerick. His extensive teaching background includes coursework in beginner, intermediate and advanced Irish Language as well as course instruction on Irish literature and culture.

Beginning with Cain and Abel, murder has fascinated people for thousands of years, and the crime novel is an ever-popular genre. Students in the Criminology, Law and Society program at University of St. Thomas will pit their wits against the protagonist or the detective in Crime Novel CRM 4332. This Whodunnit course is the only one housed in a criminology program in the nation.

The Center for International Studies has received a three-year, $170,000 grant from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education to support ongoing and future expansion of Taiwan Studies at the University of St. Thomas.

Corporate social responsibility, right to life issues and cyber ethics are all “hot topics” today, and the University of St. Thomas is giving students the opportunity to think critically and analyze these topics in the recently established Center for Ethical Leadership. To aid in achieving this goal, Dr. Robert Ivany, president of the university, and Dr. Dominic Aquila, provost, have brought Dr. Joseph Cerami to lead the Center and guide students while examining the importance of ethics in these fields and beyond.

On October 2, 2015, I informed the campus community that I would consult with the representatives of the staff, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students to determine if we should "opt-out" of Campus Carry, an option provided to private institutions of higher education by Senate Bill 11. SB 11 allows concealed handgun license holders to carry guns on campus. Thank you all who participated in this process.

The University of St. Thomas, a member of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, will break ground on a new Center for Science and Health Professions on Nov. 12, 2015. The new facility, containing more than 100,000 square-feet of modern lab space and classrooms, will meet the increasing demand for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) degree programs in Houston.